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Basic Technical

citation floor

noun

Pronunciation: /saɪˈteɪʃən flɔːr/

The minimum number of citations required for a published article to maintain credibility or visibility within its field. This threshold helps distinguish substantive research contributions from marginally cited works in literature assessments.

Plain English

The lowest number of times an article should be cited to be considered meaningfully impactful.

Etymology & History

Origin languageEnglish
RootCitation from Latin 'citare' (to summon); floor from Old Norse 'flórr'
First recorded use2000s
Usage frequencyUncommon

Usage

"Articles below the citation floor of five references within two years rarely influence subsequent research."

Style guide notes: Use 'citation floor' as a single noun phrase without capitalization in standard contexts.

Also known as

minimum citation threshold citation baseline citation minimum

Contrasted with

citation ceiling citation maximum

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a citation floor determined for different journals?

Citation floors vary by field and journal prestige, typically based on historical citation patterns and impact metrics.

What happens to articles that fall below the citation floor?

Low-citation articles may lose visibility in literature reviews and are often considered less influential.

Why Test Candidates on This?

Relevant for assessing research impact and understanding publication quality thresholds.

Required skill level: Senior

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